Types of Charges

There are three classes of offenses for which a person may be prosecuted: misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors and felonies. Most crimes prosecuted in Jefferson County are listed in Title 9 or Title 9A of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW).

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Misdemeanors: Any crime punishable by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars, or by imprisonment in a county jail for not more than ninety days, or by both such fine and imprisonment is a misdemeanor. Whenever the performance of any act is prohibited by any statute, and no penalty for the violation of such statute is imposed, the committing of such act shall be a misdemeanor.

Gross Misdemeanors: All crimes other than felonies and misdemeanors are gross misdemeanors.

Felonies: These are crimes for which more than one year of imprisonment may be imposed. Felonies are divided into three classes: “A” through “C.” A class “A” felony is the most serious; a class "C" felony is the least serious. Examples of felonies are robbery, burglary, sale of narcotics, and murder.